SUBMITTED
BY KAITI SIMMS
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Above are members of FFA at Yosemite High School. Pictured from
left to right are: Ashley Vetter (past reporter), Kaiti Simms (reporter);
Nick Burkert (president), Ashley Christensen (secretary); Shannon
Smith (treasurer); Travis Ecklund (sentinel); and Stacie Weseman
(historian). Not pictured is Lindsay Bolsta (vice president).
The 2004 FFA
banquet began with the current officers positioned at their posts;
President Heather Plumb, “Acting” Vice President Taylor Williamson,
Secretary Shannon Smith, Treasurer Castin Ecklund, Reporter Ashley
Vetter and Sentinel Crystal Hubbard. When each post had been defined
President Heather Plumb announced that the meeting of the Yosemite
FFA Chapter was duly open for the transaction of any new or unfinished
business.
First on the agenda was dinner prepared primarily by FFA members
and supervised by teachers Nicole Ullrich and Monica Bianchi. The
evening continued to run smoothly as keynote speaker Steve Ecklund
took the stage. Mr. Ecklund encouraged all the members to “embrace
change” and to remember that the FFA is about them. Mr. Ecklund
emphasized the multifaceted aspects of the FFA and noted that it
is the best national student organization high school has to offer.
He challenged each member to “lose yourself in the FFA.”
Next on the agenda were numerous awards and senior speeches. Ashley
Vetter, Amanda Canning and Heather Plumb gave farewell speeches
as departing seniors that were meant to inspire their fellow FFA
members to keep striving for their best individually and as a chapter.
The awards presented included the Farm Bureau and Cattlewomen’s
Award that were both received by Heather Plumb. Within the chapter
awards were given that highlighted deserving individuals including:
Make My Day Award, Nick Ricker; Blue and Gold, Nick Burkert; Star
Greenhand, Travis Ecklund; Star Chapter Farmer, Castin Ecklund;
Chapter Leadership, Lindsay Bolsta; Ag Mechanics Award, Clay Sailsbury
and John Tracy; and David Guadagaini received the Tractor Driving
Award.
Each year the chapter secretary keeps records and awards points
for all events and for member participation. At the end of the year
the secretary compiles a list of the top 10 participants in the
chapter.
This year’s Top 10 winners were Lindsay Boista, Nick Burkert, Ashley
Christensen, Castin Ecklund, Travis Ecklund, Heather Plumb, Kaiti
Simms, Shannon Smith, Ashley Vetter and Taylor Williamson.
The evening was drawing to a close and it was time to announce the
2004/2005 Yosemite FFA Chapter officer team.
The office of Sentinel was appointed to Travis Ecklund, Kaiti Simm
is Reporter and Stacie Weseman, Historian. Appointed as Secretary
was Ashley Christensen and Treasurer is Shannon Smith. The office
of Vice President went to Lindsay Bolsta. The new President for
the 2004/2005 school year was announced as Nick Burkert. The retiring
officers installed the 2004/2005 officer team by outlining the duties
of each office. The final order of business for the evening was
conducted by newly installed President Nick Burkert with rap of
the gavel and a “pledge of allegiance” to our nation's flag.
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